Suzie Barron works as a Commercial Agency Surveyor to service Edwin Thompson’s busy Cumbria offices in Windermere, Keswick and Carlisle.

Brought up in the Scottish Borders, Simon returned to the area to join Edwin Thompson in 2000 after graduating from the University of Aberdeen, where he studied Land Economy.

Simon has a broad rural knowledge, as well as practical experience on the family farm he spent extended harvest seasons on the Wills Estate outside Newmarket and a season in Warwickshire. He is a qualified General Practice Surveyor specialising in:

Valuation – An RICS Registered Valuer undertaking a wide and varied portfolio of residential and commercial valuation work; particularly valuations for secured lending purposes; Home Buyers Reports; Home Reports (Scotland); tax and strategic planning; acquisitions and disposals.

Commercial Property – Experienced in all aspect of landlord and tenant work; lease renewals; rent reviews; rating appeals; sale and acquisitions; and valuations of commercial property.

Planning and development – undertaking development appraisals in accordance with appropriate planning policy; pre-application enquiries; preparing and presenting planning applications for planning approval; servicing investigations; valuations.

Outwith work Simon enjoys spending time with family, following sport and retains a keen interest in the family farm.

Chris has a passionate interest in the well being of the rural community and the protection of the countryside environment. He firmly believes in the importance of sustainable economic development for the rural sector and is keen to engage all sections of the community into gaining a better understanding of the environment, its protection and its potential.

Having joined Edwin Thompson in 2009 and becoming Associate Partner in 2019, Chris is based in the firm’s Carlisle office but acts for clients over a wide area. He manages several estates around Cumbria and Lancashire involved in all day to day management. Chris is regularly involved with Farm Acquisitions and Disposals, GIS Mapping, Environmental Impact Assessments and Planning Applications. He carries out Basic Payment Scheme applications and provides advice on all aspects of DEFRA Rural Development Schemes and related grant and subsidy initiatives including agri-environmental schemes. He also advises clients on renewable energy projects including anaerobic digestion, wind, biomass, and hydro developments. Most recently Chris worked on a flood alleviation scheme for an estate in county Durham. He has recently undertaken an Environmental Impact Assessment for a forestry plantation on a showcase estate in Western Scotland and carried out a portfolio valuation for a leading infrastructure, transport and real estate investment company.

Chris studied Agriculture and Farm Business Management (BSc (Hons)) at the University of Newcastle. With a family background in farming he has not only a theoretical understanding of agriculture but also practical, hands on experience of managing estates.

Chris is Chairman of his Parish Council, enjoys field sports, rowing and plays for the local cricket club. He previously spent a year coaching and playing cricket in Australia and was captain of his university rowing team.

Hugh advises on a broad range of rural and estate clients across central and north west Scotland and northern England.

With particular expertise in farm business appraisal and consultancy, Hugh undertakes a wide variety of predominantly rurally based work. This includes such matters as in-hand farming; valuation of all types of rural property; sales, purchase and lettings of farms, land and houses; dealing with contract farming agreements; landlord and tenant issues; negotiation of compensation for wayleaves and compulsory purchase; rural planning and development. In particular he is highly praised by his clients for his practical, proactive and business approach.

In recent years Hugh has become more involved in the development of micro and mini- hydro electricity generation schemes. Advising clients on the cost/benefits of such projects as well as dealing with the entire execution of a scheme from survey, design, and planning to final installation.

A fellow of the RICS and of the CAAV (Central Association of Agricultural Valuers) Hugh is a past president of the South of Scotland and Borders Valuers Association and a Lantra accredited consultant under the Farm Business Advisor Accreditation Scheme for Scotland (FBAAS). He is a RICS Registered Valuer and also an AMC appointed valuer.

Born and brought up in Cumbria, Hugh gained a BSc (Hons) degree in agriculture from Reading University. He spent 18 months working in Australia and New Zealand before working as an agricultural advisor in central and north west Scotland for five years with West of Scotland Agricultural College. He joined Edwin Thompson in 1985.

When not attempting to control his large garden, Hugh enjoys cycling, fly fishing, shooting and contemporary music.

John joined Edwin Thompson in the Summer of 2010 as an Associate Partner after working 10 years for a national practice in the north east. He became an Elected Professional Member of The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in 2003 and specialises in commercial land and property advice. He has a particular interest in creating and managing property investment opportunities for a wide range of private as well as institutional investors.

During his recent employment in the north east, John acted for a number of private and public sector clients. He was retained by Durham County Council, County Durham & Darlington Fire & Rescue, ONE North East and The Diocese of Hexham & Newcastle to advise on values and disposals of surplus assets. This included land, schools, depots, office buildings, care homes and churches.

A graduate of The University of Northumbria at Newcastle John studied Estate Management. He is a RICS Registered Valuer and currently acting for Lloyds TSB Banking Group, Svenska Handelsbanken, The Royal Bank of Scotland, United Utilities, Northern Rock, Sustrans, The Home Office, Gladman Developments, Edinburgh Woolen Mill, English Heritage, Cumbria Rural Enterprise Agency and The Salvation Army undertaking commercial valuations, disposals and providing strategic land and property advice.

Around raising a young family, John enjoys keeping fit playing a number of sports and is a keen follower of Newcastle United. He plays golf socially and is a member of a Lake District fly-fishing club. Committed to assisting Charities, John led a team to win an award for ‘Outstanding Innovation’ having raised funds for a local charity as part of an investment enterprise challenge.